Florida Legislature Must Invest Big In The Upcoming Census If It Expects A Sizeable Return In Federal Dollars

November 9, 2009|Posted by Doug Lyons on November 9, 2009 04:05 PM

By Perry Thurston

Florida is home to a rich mixture of cultures, backgrounds and experiences. Our state's diversity is one of its greatest assets. As Florida prepares to conduct the 2010 U.S. Census, it is critical we do our best to ensure an accurate count of everyone who lives here.

As a delegate to Florida's Complete Count Committee, I recognize the critical importance of an accurate census count. Unfortunately, the Florida Legislature has appropriated less than $3 million for the 2010 Sunshine Census Initiative. The initiative's goal is to reach the hard-to-count population of our state, which include children, migrant workers, university students and people of many backgrounds. It is crucial that these people are counted.

The census takes place every 10 years. While the original purpose of the census was to determine the number of seats each state should have in the U.S. House of Representatives, today the count helps determine the amount of federal funding received by states, counties and cities.

Other important matters are determined by the census, including planning for schools, highways, and other public services. States also rely on census data for reapportionment and redistricting, particularly in the redesign of congressional and legislative district boundaries.

For Florida, to be a model for conducting the census, it is vital that at least $10 million is allocated. This is money well spent. Every additonal person counted is key to ensuring Florida gets its share of about $400 billion in federal funds distributed to local, state and tribal governments based on census data.

The Florida House and Senate should make supporting appropriate funding to meet the goals of Florida's Complete County Committee a priority.

Perry Thurston is a Democrat who represents District 93 in the Florida House of Representatives.